Ellicott City - Pittsburgh - Ellicott City - Chicago

November 16, 2025 I am now in Chicago for a week of classes with the postulants. There are eight of them, and I will be speaking to them of the Letters of St. Paul. I flew in this morning (no difficulties at the airport or in flight) and I will be here til this coming Saturday. This past week I also visited Pittsburgh. I gave a day of recollection at the Capuchiin Friars house of older friars and provincialate. It was on the Gospel of Matthew, given that this is the Gospel we will be using this coming year. I also gave a full day presentation on Matthew yesterday at Ellicott City. We had a good crowd, and I really enjoyed the dialog between myself and those attending. I have been doing some individual presentation these days to ladies' and men's groups on various topics (or simply question and asnwer sessions). I am recovering from my fall in California last month. The elbows are slowly healing, and more significantly the muscles in the arms are slowly getting back to normal. I still cannot carry weights or shake hands, but a lot of the other functions have returned. i finished some reading and listening: Thomas Cromwell by Tracy Borman Cromwell was the Chancellor who governed much of England during the time of Henry VIII’s divorce from Catherine of Aragon and marriage to Anne Boylen. He was a Protestant sympathizer, and he worked hard to bind the Church to Henry and not to the Vatican. Some of his religious reforms were due to his Protestant tendencies, while others (such as the dissolution of the monasteries) were largely due to greed. While efficient, he made many enemies who eventually succeeded in separating him from the affections of Henry and which led to his execution for treason. The Catholic Church in the Modern Age by Thomas Madden This is an outline of the history of the Catholic Church from the time of the French Revolution up to the present day. Madden is both very respectful and very informative. He deals with cultural trends and how they affected the Church. He speaks of things such as the two major Vatican Councils and the war against both Marxism and the overly Liberal economic tendencies. This course is well done and well worth the investment in time. Nimrud by Charles River Editors This is one of the short presentations by Charles River Editors. This is on one of the main cities and sometimes capital of the Assyrian Empire. The ancient history, as it is known, of the city is outlined. There is also a lot of information about the archeological digs that have uncovered many of its ruins, and also how thieves and terrorists have impeded further study and have destroyed much of what was found at this site. Worlds at War by Anthony Pagden This book covers the long clash between the East and the West throughout known history. The author presents various major topics and carefully examines each of them to show why history travelled in one direction or another. I found the book a bit disjointed because of this approach, but it did present a lot of good information. The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde This is an amusing story about a fearful ghost who inhabits one of the old manor houses of England who has terrorized generations of inhabitants. The ghost finally meets its ultimate fate when a family of Americans move in who are neither afraid of it nor shy about offering suggestions to it about what it might do. The ghost finds itself bored and lonely and defeated, only to be liberated by an innocent child in the family. The Liturgical Year by Richard Fragomeni This presenter in this Learn25 course is a liturgy professor who is very informed and enthusiastic about his topic. He presents the liturgical year as a kaleidoscope of color and smells and sound and practices. He goes through the various liturgical seasons and the reasons for their various feasts and spirituality. London in the Time of Dickens by Lillian Nayder This is a Great Courses presentation on the life and world of Charles Dickens. The author speaks about the city of London in his days, both as it actually was and as it was presented in Dickens’ writings. While some of his writings championed the needs of the poor, others and his own conduct often betrayed his sentiments. Nayder speaks of living conditions, the plight of the destitute, the legal system, society and its past times, etc. throughout the lectures. World War II: Battlefield Europe by David Stone This is a Great Courses presentation on the European dimension of the Second World War. The presenter is thoughtful and thorough. There are 24 lectures in this course, and they are all well worth one’s time and attention. I would recommend both the course and the lecturer. Great Masters: Mahler – His Life and Music by Robert Greenburg I have listened to a series of lectures from the Great Courses by Greenburg. He is a music scholar, and this presentation is on the life and music of Mahler. I cannot say that I like his music, but Greenburg gave me great insight into why Mahler composed his music in the manner in which he did. Mahler comes across as a strange man who was completely absorbed in his music and his own needs, all but ignoring those around him, including his wife. 24 Hours in Ancient Athens by Philip Matyszak This is part of a series of books that present a 24 hour period in an ancient land with vignettes on what some character might be doing at a particular time of the day. These stories are well researched and present a down to earth portrait of the culture of that land. I found the stories entertaining and informative. Egypt’s Golden Couple by Colleen and John Damell This is the story of a royal couple in Egypt, Akhenaten and Nefertiti. They are famous for being the royal couple who moved their capital and who rejected most of the gods of Egypt with the exception of the sun god, possibly a tendency toward monotheism. The book covers who they were, what was expected of them, how they worshipped and were worshipped, and their family background. The Great Tours: Iceland by Jennifer Verdolin This is a tour of Iceland with an explanation of its history and a description of its people, language and culture. It could probably have been a shorter presentation (Great Courses) because the presenter begin to describe every single mountain and fiord and waterfall, a bit much. Have a good week. Shalom fr. Jude

Ellicott City - San Diego - Arroyo Grande - Ellicott City

October 23, 2025 Peace and Good I am sorry that my lest blog was so long ago, but a lot has been happening. I travelled to a parish on Coronado Island in San Diego where I presented a couple of weeks of Bible Study courses. I have been there a number of times, and have always enjoyed myself there. There was a good turn out and we were able to study Acts of the Apostles, the Book of Revelation and the Gospel of Matthew. I met a lot of nice people, and i felt quite at home. From there I flew up to San Luis Obispo (halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco) where our novitiate is located in Arroyo Grande. There are five novices this year, and I presented a workshop on the Gospels and Psalms. The teaching went very well. The only problem was that I had an accident. I was walking in a dark parking lot, and ran into a low brick wall, sumersalting over it. I ended up with cuts and six stitches on my forehead. There is a split in a small bone in my elbow. The muscles in both arms are giving me a lot of pain. They are a little better each day, but still quite painful. I flew back to Baltimore on the 12th. I flew United, and they took very good care of me on the trip. I have visited a couple of doctors since I got back, and it is basically a question of giving it time. I have been able to teach here (a four week class on Isaiah and a one day workshop on Acts of the Apostles). I have also met with a couple of ladies groups in these days. I can't wait, though, until I feel better. I finished some reading and listening: Philip Augustus by William Holden Hutton This was the king of France at the beginning of the 13th century and he is the one who extended the power of the monarchy to cover the entire nation (and not simply a small area surrounding the city of Paris). He was not always the easiest person to deal with, as can clearly be seen in the controversy involving his divorce of his Danish wife and his feud with the Pope over this. Yet, he did establish useful institutions in the country and he was beneficial to the peasants who had previously been subject to the rapacious desires of the nobility (including Church officials). Gone for Soldiers by Jeffrey Shaara This is fictional account of the Mexican American War (at least of the conquest of Mexico City by the forces of General Scott). It emphasizes the role of Robert E. Lee as an engineer who also served as an advisor and scout for the General. It more or less canonizes Lee as a saintly figure in the midst of other less worthy leaders. The Colosseum by Mary Beard Mary Beard is a famous British archeologist. This book presents the history of the Colosseum from its building to the present day. It gives a sense of the importance of the structure in ancient Rome, as well as its use. Beard is a down to earth scholar who is not afraid to deal with controversies. I would recommend this book and any of her writings. Seven Wonders of the Ancient World by Jennifer Tobin This is a Modern Scholar presentation on the seven wonders of the ancient world. The professor first of all has to establish which wonders should be included (for the list is changeable, even in ancient times). She then speaks of what each of the wonders was and is today. Finally, she speaks of what would have been considered wonders in the Middle Ages, in Modern times, and in the natural world. Anthony Van Dyck by Delphi Classics This book presents the life and works of Van Dyck. He was almost exclusively a portrait painter, and he spent quite a long time in England during the reign of Charles I, just before the English Civil War. His style is very baroque with figures presented in ideal presentations (as opposed to what they really looked like). Treasure in Earthen Vessels: St. Paul’s Spirituality by Ron Witherup This is an overview of major ideas of spirituality in the Letters of St. Paul. Each of the lectures deals with some major topic, such as salvation, ecclesiology, mysticism, etc. The presenter is good (if not great). This is part of the Learn25 series. Towton and Bosworth by Charles River Editors These are two major battles in the English War of the Roses, basically one of the opening battles which led to the crowing in King Edward IV, and one of the closing battles that led to the coronation of King Henry VII. The author deals with the politics of the time which were very personal and changeable, depending on who seemed to be in the ascendency at any given time. Colonial Vietnam by Charles River Editors This short book deals with the history of Vietnam in ancient times, during its French colonial days, and then during the Vietnam War which involved U.S. troops. It is able to establish some of the cultural and societal reasons why the country had such a difficult time throughout history. Masterworks of American Art by William Kloss This is a 24 lecture presentation from the Great Courses on American (North) from its earliest days to the beginning of the 20th century. The professor is great, and I have learned much about artistic influences, hidden messages in pictures, the growing proficiency of American artists (especially due to their contact with their European contemporaries, perspective in paintings, etc. Prayer and Growth in Christian Life by Thomas Merton I very much like Merton as an author, but I dislike his taped presentations. This series of lectures was made for groups of sisters in the post-Vatican II era. It is filled with many of Merton’s musings on the need for social justice and the future of religious life today. As much as he claims that he respects religious life and the religious with whom he is living, his constant complaints and criticisms betray his antipathy toward both of them. 12 Revolutionary Discoveries that Could Change Everything by Scientific American This presentation of the Great Courses amounts to a series of twelve articles on various topics that were studied by scholars from the Scientific American. Some of the findings are actually revolutionary, others are simply interesting stories that are a bit esoteric. Holy Land: An Introduction to Biblical Archaeology by Leslie Hoppe Leslie Hoppe is a great Biblical scholar. He makes this presentation in the Learn25 series on the history and the present state of biblical archeology in the Holy Land. He speaks of the tendency to do archeology not to prove a theory or back up a given text, but to find out what actually happened. He covers Jewish, Christian and Muslim archeology. He also deals with the need to engage more local archaeologists, especially Palestinians. Have a good week. Shalom fr. Jude

Ellicott City - Corodado, CA

September 27, 2025 Peace and Good, I was quite busy these past couple of weeks with spiritual direction appointments. I had missed a week of them when I had covid, and I am going to be away for three weeks giving a parish mission and a workshop at our novitiate in this time. I flew out to San Diego last Friday, and this week (Monday thru Thursday) I have been presenting classes on the Acts of the Apostles and the Book of Revelation. I had classes in the morning and evening (same topic). This coming week I will be giving classes on the Gospel of Matthew which we will be using this coming liturgical year. Then I will fly up to San Luis Obispo to give a week workshop to the novices on the Gospels and the Psalms. I have been reading quite a bit on archeology this week because I am about to start a new series of articles on that topic for the Messenger of St. Anthony, the magazine for which I write from Padua, Italy (in English). There are also a couple of other writing projects that I must address as soon as I find time for them. The weather here is wonderful - in the 70's each day with a low humidity. I have been at this parish anumber of times, and I have always found it to be welcoming. I have finished some reading and listening: Shakespeare by Peter Ackroyd Peter Ackroyd is a great historian and author concerning things British. I have read a few of his works dealing with the Tudor period. This study of the life and works of Shakespeare is a masterpiece. We do not have as much information about Shakespeare’s life as one would expect, but Ackroyd is able to piece together the scanty documentary information and tie it to events in Shakespeare’s life and the political and economic scene of England in his day. Hadrian’s Wall by Adrian Goldsworthy Goldsworthy is a great historian of ancient times. This book deals with the purpose, construction and history of the wall ordered by the Emperor Hadrian in northern England. He presents it as a means of regulating commerce but also of slowing down raiders from the north until adequate forces could be gathered to fight them. He also presents a study of garrison life in the army camps along the course of the wall. Saint Paul by Michael Grant Michael Grant is a good, popular historian of ancient times. He has specialized on Roman times in the past. This book presents the biography (as much as it is possible) and the writings of St. Paul. Much of the material is very good, but I have to admit that at times the author had the strangest theories that I have ever heard concerning Paul and his teachings and his relationship with the early Christian community. I would not recommend this book. Understanding the New Testament by David Brakke This is a Great Courses presentation of the New Testament in 24 episodes. The professor is good and balanced. There were times when I did not agree with his positions, but they were always points that were and are quite debatable. He gives a good overview of the history and content of the books (and letters) that make up our present New Testament. The Hebrew Bible by Lawrence Schiffman This is a Modern Scholars course on the Hebrew Bible. The presenter goes into the history of its production, its agreement or not with archeological evidence, the content of the books and their relationship to other books, and the use of the Hebrew Bible by associated groups (e.g. Qumran, Christians, etc.). Buried by Jeffery Deaver This is a short novel of a newspaper reporter who is getting ready to retire because of the tendency of the on-line versions of news to play to the market instead of reporting the news. He challenges this tendency by investigating a series of attacks in which the victims are buried underground while the aggressor leaves clues concerning their whereabouts. This story turns out to be a much larger conspiracy than the reporter or anyone first expected. Give me a Fast Ship by Tim McGrath This is the story of the beginning of the Continental navy during the Revolutionary War. It had two aspects, the official vessels and those which had been chartered as privateers (government sanctioned pirates). The book deals with many of the interesting characters who served as captains during the fight and how their personalities and egos clashed. For All the Tea in China by Sarah Rose This is a book that describes the efforts of an English botanist, Robert Fortune, to bring tea plants and seeds to India to grow there so that the British Empire might be able to stop depending on tea from China (whose purchase was creating a foreign exchange disaster). It was, of course, illegal to export the plants and expertise from China, but by this time the Chinese Empire was so decrepit that it was unable to stop Fortunes efforts. Crashes and Crises: Lessons from a history of Financial Disasters by Connel Fullenkamp This Great Courses presentation deals with the great market crashes in US history and also with episodes of lack of due diligence that brought on disaster and others of actual fraud. The presentation can become a bit technical when it describes various instruments of investment. Measuring America by Andra Linklater Years ago I read a book about Mason and Dixon who established the line that would become the division between the north and the south. This book is different in that it concentrates on the tools that surveyors used and their importance to the settling of the west (the west in those days, we would consider it the western part of the eastern states). It gets into quite a bit of technical detail that I did not all that interesting. The establishment of units of measure (length, dry weights and wet weights) was a bit more interesting. Russian Urban Legends by Chronicle Press This is a strange mix of stories that come from Russia (and the Soviet Union). Chronicle Press is a source that I found on Kindle that offered free books at their issue date. While I would not say that this book was great, it was interesting. Czar Nicholas II and the End of the Romanov Dynasty by Charles River Editors This is only a short account of the last czar and his family and the revolutionary forces that brought an end to their dynasty. Nicholas is presented as a well-meaning but weak character who was much more interested in preserving the prerogatives of his reign than in helping his nation. Have a good week. Shalom fr. Jude

Ellicott City - Santa Cruz - Ellicott City

September 14, 2025 The Feast of the Exultation of the Cross Peace and Good, As you can see above, I was in California a week for my annual retreat, at a retreat house in Santa Cruz (a small city south of San Francisco, right on the ocean). The presenter was Br. William Short, and he spoke on the Canticle of the Creatures (for this is the 800th anniversary of that poem). He was excellent, and being right near the ocean was great. I do not walk the beach so much as listen to the sound of the waaves. Five minutes of that and I find myself tremendously calm. The rest of the time recently has been spent in normal things. I am doing a lot of spiritual direction which I truly like. I also help out with Confessions and Mass at the Shrine and at St. Joseph Nursing Home in Catonsville. It is time to get back to writing a bit, doing articles for two magazines: one in Padua, Italy and the other in Kenya. The weather is beautiful, a nice fall with the leaves just starting to change color. There have been a couple of events in these days. I met with a men's group in the local parish for a question and answer period. People really appreciate the opportunity to ask someone questions that have been nagging them for quite some time. The other event was a Mass we celebrated here for the ministers of the Secular Franciscan throughout the country. I was the celebrant and the peacher. I have finished some reading and listening: First Bull Run by Charles River Editors This is a short account of the first major battle of the Civil War. Up to this point, both sides thought that the division of the states would quickly be resolved. The losses in this battle (which were all but insignificant compared to latter battles like Shiloh, Antietam, and Gettysburg) nevertheless shocked the nation. Both sides were ill prepared, and either could have won given the tremendous chaos of the battle and the inability of troops to follow orders. A Field Guide to the Planets by Sabine Stanley This is a study of the solar system at a scientific level. He speaks of the sun and each of the planets, but also of their moons, rings, wandering asteroids and comets, etc. I was fascinated that the first four planets are rocky, while the next ones are gaseous (so that one could not even speak of a solid surface) and the last ones icy. The presenter is very good, but a first watch was not enough to absorb all of the content. The Great Siege of Malta by Charles River Editors This is an overview of the siege of Malta, a monumental battle between Christian and Islamic forces on the island that lay at the center of the Mediterranean. If it were conquered, it would endanger Sicily and Italy and the rest of Christianity. A rather small group of a monastic knightly order, the knights of Malta, were able to defeat the Ottomans in a prolonged siege which, by any objective measure, the other side should have won. Great Presidents by Allan Lichtman This is a rather long (48 presentations) course from the Great Courses on a series of presidents whom the professor considers to be great. It mostly agrees with the normal list, although he also threw in Polk because of his importance to the expansion of the territory of the nation. He also spoke of his 13 point test concerning who is most likely to win a presidential election (and he has been right for quite some time). Still Life with Crows by Dougles Preston and Lincoln Child I have read just about all of Preston’s and Child’s book. They are about an FBI agent known as Prengergast. He is a unique figure who has astounding powers of observation and intuition. These books mostly deals at a normal level of criminality, but sometimes goes into a bit of science fiction. This volume deals with a series of grisly crimes in the Midwest of the US and how he and his new sidekick are able to find the source of the evil befalling the area. St. Augustine in 90 Minutes by Paul Strathern Strathern has written a series of short, short books on various major figures of philosophy and theology. In this presentation, he is usually fair, but occasionally gets a bit snarky in his prejudices against what Augustine wrote and taught. It nevertheless is worth a read or listen. The Greek Revolution by Mark Mazower I have always believed that the Greek revolution against the Ottoman empire was comparable to that of the American founders. It was not that in any way. First of all, one had to deal with much more proximate distances between the combatants. Then there was the lack of unity among the Greeks who had lived under Ottoman dominance and cruel treatment for centuries. The European powers only entered the war toward the end, and their victory over the navy of the Ottomans at Navarino was the deciding moment in the rebellion. How to Survive Space by Ronke Olibisi This is a Great Courses presentation which deals with many of the difficulties of space travel. It deals with questions of blood circulation, digestion, muscle atrophy in a low gravity environment. It speaks of radiation and heat and cold circumstances. Then there are questions of getting along with others over long periods of time in a relatively small environment (with all of its associated smells). The account shows how difficult it will be to exist on space trips, and how difficult it would be to survive on the moon or one of the planets. The Modern Scholar: Classical Mythology: the Romans by Peter Meineck This is an overview of the mythology of Rome, dealing with its own indigenous mythology as well as its borrowings from the Greek culture and how those stories were adopted to fit the needs of the Romans. Meineck also shows how this left a mythology which at times overlapped with two or three accounts of the same event (e.g. the founding of Rome). The Surprising Lives of Christian Saints by Emily Graham This is a Great Courses overview of some of the saints of the Christian era from its earliest days to the present. There is a preference for women saints and holy women. Graham also includes a number of non-Catholic men and women who have lived truly saintly lives. The presentation are well done and make one want to study the topic even more. The Wars of the Roosevelts by William Mann I originally thought this would be an overview of the wars fought by Teddy and Franklin Roosevelt from the Spanish American War to World War II. It was not that at all. It dealt with the relationships among the various branches of the Roosevelt family. It gives a good insight to the personalities of those involved as well as their political tendencies and choices. From Desert Asceticism to Vatican II by Christopher Bellitto I have come to like all of Bellitto’s presentation for Learn 25. They are all well researched, well stated, and full of interesting information. This one covers the topic of conversion in the Church from its earliest days to the present. It deals especially with the two major currents of conversion: individual and institutional. Have a good week. Shalom fr. Jude

Ellicott City

August 24, 2025 Peace and Good, As you can see by the header, I have been all this week. I was actually more home than usual, for I was in my room the whole time getting over covid. I cam down with what I thought was a bad cold this past weekend, but something was just not right. I did not have all the symptoms I would have expected, and had some strange ones. I finally tested myself on Monday morning, and sure enough, I was positive. The time of recovery in my room was good. I read and listened to audiobooks a lot, and I was able to finish an editing project upon which I had been working (revising some of the Good News Notes for reprint). This week I will be at home, largely catching up on appointments that I had to move from this past week. Then a week from Monday, I and fr. Emmanuel will be heading out to California for a retreat at Santa Cruz, a town on the ocean just below San Francisco. I have noticed an interesting development these past months. More and more I am being invited to sessions of faith sharing groups to do a question and answer. I really like doing this sort of thing. It gives people a chance to ask questions of someone which they might have been pondering for a long time. Furthermore, it make me think anew about certain things, and that is always healthy. In theology, it is so easy to use definitions which sound right, but which people (including oneself) don't really understand. I have finished some reading and listening: 7 Days with Pope Francis by Anthony Ciorra This is a rather short presentation of some of the major teachings of Pope Francis in a retreat format. Thus, it is not simply a question of what he taught, but also how to apply those lessons to our spiritual life. It was good, but not tremendously profound. John of the Cross: Poet and Mystic by Keith Egan This was a tremendous study by Learn25 of the life, teachings and writings of St. John of the Cross, the Spanish mystic and contemporary of St. Theresa of Avila. Egan is a Carmelite scholar who is part of the Carmelite John of the Cross study forum. I would recommend this course to anyone who either was interested in John of the Cross or mysticism in general. Gospel of John 101 by Donald Senior This is a Learn25 course on the Gospel of John. Senior is a great Johannine scholar. His overview was very good and informative, but I cannot say that I learned too much that was new. A History of Hitlers Empire by Thomas Childers This is a Great Courses presentation of 24 lectures on the history of the rise, reign and fall of the Hitler empire. I cannot say that I learned anything new, but the course was well presented and informative. Nature of Earth: An Introduction to Geology by John Renton This is a Great Courses study of geology. The professor is good, but this is the type of course that I would like to watch more than once. One of the most interesting thing I learned was how ground water, which we are using at a tremendous rate, is not replenished for many decades if not longer. He also deals with the discovery and use of fossil fuels like oil and coal. A Murder, A Mystery, and a Marriage by Mark Twain This is an unpublished story (until recently) which deals with an ambitious father (ambitious for his own resources) and how he tries to arrange the marriage of his daughter with the man who would bring him the most profit. It is typical of Twain for its twists and turns as well as for the mocking tone taken concerning the greed and pettiness of the father. Descartes in 90 Minutes by Paul Strathern Strathern has put together a series of very short outlines of the lives of famous philosophers and theologians. He presents the person as well as the theories of the person being studied. This volume speaks quite a bit of the personality of Descartes and why his philosophical skepticism led him to the simple conclusion of “I think, therefore I am.,” a conclusion that later philosophers would challenge. Who is Jesus?: An Introduction to Christology by Brian McDermott This is a series of lectures on the person of Jesus, both as revealed in Sacred Scripture and as pictured in the theology of the early Church. The professor speaks of some of the more recent Christological developments as well, showing the strengths of shortfalls of the various positions. The First Thousand Years: A Global History of Christianity by Robert Louis Wilken I was apprehensive when I began to listen to this particular book. I was worried that it might have been a very parochial presentation of early Church history in order to buttress the author’s own belief system. That is not what I found. It was a balanced history of the development of Christianity. It even dealt with many of the Churches of the East which is something that is often left out of the story. The Joys of Ancient History by Various Authors (Great Courses). This is a Great Courses anthology of 36 lectures taken from other courses that deal with various aspects of ancient history. The topics deal with history, myth, religion, sociology, etc. I thoroughly enjoyed the collection and would recommend either this presentation or the courses from which the lectures are taken to anyone. Classical Mythology by Elizabeth Vandiver This is an overview of mostly Greek (with a small amount of Roman) mythology. The presenter is very good, and she begins by examining many of the theories on the development and meaning of classical mythology (e.g. sociology, psychology – whether Freudian or Jungian), the theories of Campbell and others. I find her opinions very balanced and are taken not to advance some pet theory but to try to come to grips with the myths as they stand. Books that Matter: City of God by Charles Mathewes This is an overview of the book written by St. Augustine after the fall of Rome to describe the relationship between the earthly reign and the heavenly reign, the earthy Rome and the heavenly Jerusalem. This is a Great Courses presentation, and the professor outlines the influences upon Augustine, his theology and philosophy, and the history of the times. Have a good week. Shalom fr. Jude

Ellicott City

August 11, 2025 The Feast of St. Clare Peace and Good I have been busy covering Masses and Confessions at the Shrine and the Nursing Home this past week. A number of friars are away for their vacation, and I have been asked to fill in a bit. It is not overwhelming in any way. I have been able to get some work done on daily reflections, but I have not had time for any writing. This past Saturday I and Br. Nick Romeo presented a workshop on the Canticle of the Creatures. Anna, who is the head of our publicity department, had suggested it since this year is the 800th anniversary of that poem (where we get the idea of Brother Sun and Sister Moon). I took the morning speaking about the scriptural background, and he took the afternoon dealing with Franciscan spirituality. We had a great turnout. It should be posted on youtube sometime this or next week. I still have a workshop in mind about the Nicean Creed, given that this is the 1,700th anniversary of that formula. I still have to work out the details, and in the meantime I am researching it a bit. The weather has been blessedly moderate, although these next few days will climb back up into the 90's. I finished some reading and listening: Captive Queen by Alison Weir This is a fictional account of the relationship between Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II of England and Normandy. The author, who has written many books on the monarchy of England during this period, is more than a bit voyeuristic in sexual terms. I have to say I was disappointed because I got the impression that whenever the author did not know what was really going on, then she felt obliged to throw in the complaint that Henry was robbing Eleanor of her authority or to get the two into bed. Wicked Bugs by Amy Stewart This is an overview of bugs that have often proven to be dangerous (to crops, to animals, to people, etc.). Each presentation is short, and the series proves to be a type of anthology. The author is matter of fact, not sensationalistic in any way. Daoism by James Miller This is an explanation of the basic concepts of Daoism and its history, especially in China. It is much more mixed up in mythology and body power flow and ideas such as this. I cannot say that I understood much of what was said, but it was a good first look at the topic and a challenge to go more into depth in the future. Extreme Offenders: Psychological Insights by Katherine Ramsland This is a study of people who have done truly terrible things. The presenter who is a scholar in this matter is clear, honest and discerning. It is not a course (great courses) for the timid, but it does delve into often hidden parts of our society. Language Families of the World by John McWorter This is a study of linguistics throughout the world and the ages. The professor who makes the presentation is well informed and knows how to present a subject that could easily be mind numbing boring in an enjoyable way. I believe that this is the type of presentation that I would want to watch again in the near future to pick up some of what I missed, but even so, I learned a lot. Delphi Collected Paintings of Edvard Munch by Peter Russell One of the few paintings I had ever seen from Munch was the Scream. This overview of his work and his life shows that the angst expressed in that painting was due to his family tragedies (deaths of a number of close relatives, mostly due to tuberculosis) as well as his inherited mental illness. It is interesting, though, that while his anxiety ridden paintings are emphasized, few speak of his beautiful nature scenes. Maybe nature was the only place he was able to find the peace he so desperately sought. Anaximander by Carlo Rovelli This is the story of one of the first Greek philosophers. He was part of the movement which no longer attributed changes to the gods but rather sought natural forces to explain them. Anaximander, for example, was able to propose that the earth was floating upon nothing rather than lying on some foundation (thus changing our view of the cosmos). While the scientific exposition was very good, the author gets caught up in an anti-religion polemic that was embarrassing because of his histrionics. The Internment of German Americans during World War II by Charles River Editors We often hear about the internment of the Japanese Americans during World War II, but this short book deals with that of German Americans (and Italian Americans). While there were some real sympathizers and even spies for the Germans, most of those sent to camps or repatriated to Germany were simply people who had come from Germany in the inter-war years. Their story is not all that well told, largely because they had to swear a secrecy oath before they were released. This is a part of history that we often don’t hear about. Spies in Tudor England by Charles River Editors This is the story of the network of spies (internal and external) during the reign of Henry VIII and especially of Elizabeth I. Some of the spy craft was political, but there was also religious spy craft as well (which the author of this short treatment is hesitant to admit). I know that Catholic forces were not entirely blameless of the situation, but I don’t like it when they are presented as the only bad actors in a confused situation. Popes and the Papacy by Thomas Noble This is a Great Courses treatment of the papacy in 24 lectures. The professor is very respectful to the tradition and teachings of the papacy. He is not hesitant to admit shortcomings (and certain periods of the papacy that were terribly scandalous). Yet, his goal is not to push one position over another, but to be as clear as he can about confusing details. I very much enjoyed his treatment. Life in Ancient Rome by Lionel Casson This is a short overview of some of the history and customs of ancient Rome. It especially deals with the period which runs from the beginning of the imperial state to the end of the reign of Marcus Aurelius. It does not deal with any topic in depth, but is a good read nevertheless. Turning Point by Jeffery Deaver This is a short novel about catching a serial killer by setting a trap that he could not resist. The story is well written and filled with twists and turns. Have a good week. Shalom fr. Jude

Ellicott City

August 4, 2025 Peace and Good, I hope you are all well. Here in Baltimore we are enjoying several days of beautiful weather after a very long stretch of uncearable heat. I have been at home helping out at the shrine and the nursing home. A good number of friars are on vacation these days, so the needs of those two sites are a bit more than is usual, but I really don't mind. I have been doing a lot of spiritual direction, and I have had to hit the pause button a few times in these months to ask people to wait for a couple of months before I would begin with them. The reason is that I tend to get a rush of new people, and I don't want to start new people too soon lest I get confused about their story. At this point I am asking people to get in touch with me at the end of October. I always feel a bit guilty about saying this, but I have to keep remembering that I cannot save the whole world all by myself. I hope to start of bit of writing in the next couple of days. I have to revise some of the Good News notes for reprint. I also have a project to do a guided tour of a series of panels which speak of the life of St. Anthony. That one is going to take more time than I expected, but I find I can only really write things when I am in the mood. I finished some reading and listening: Medieval Christianity by Christopher Bellitto Bellitto is proving to be one of my favorite professors. This is a Learn25 presentation, and Bellitto manages to present a good overview of the history and customs and religious movements of Medieval Christianity. He is very balanced in his approach, and very, very informative. I would recommend any of his courses to anyone who would ask. The Enduring Genius of Frederick Law Olmstead by Adam Rome This is a short Great Courses presentation on the designer of Central Park in New York City. I also found out in this presentation that he did quite a bit of park design in my native city, Buffalo. The professor speaks especially of Olmstead’s theories concerning the city’s obligation to provide a proper living space for people to gather beyond class divisions. His theories of park development have much more to do with the need of people for breathing room in a chaotic environment than anything else. Revolutionary Summer by Joseph Ellis Ellis is one of the preeminent authors about the revolutionary period, and this book deals with the summer of 1776, from the situation in Boston and the evacuation of British troops there, to the defeats that Washington suffered in the New York area, to the movement toward independence at the Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia. His treatment of the topic is masterful. Great Masters: Stravinsky by Robert Greenburg This is a great courses presentation of the great composer Stravinsky. The professor is well verses and funny, but I cannot say that I enjoy Stravensky’s music. I find it too modern for my taste and strange. Greenburg is a big fan of his music, but I just don’t get it. Saint Peter: Upon This Rock by Raymond Collins This is a Learn25 presentation of the role of St. Peter, especially as seen in the writings of the New Testament. I had greater expectations than were met in listening to this course. Too much of it is simply a recitation of relevant verses. There are a few good insights, but not all that many. Strong Men Armed by Robrt Lackie This is a history of the battles fought by the Marines during the Pacific theatre of World War II. There is an overview of the Marine’s role and the American plans for the war, but also there are considerable first hand accounts of what happened. It runs from Guadalcanal to Okinawa. Resurrection and the Afterlife by Candida Moss This is the presentation by an English theologian about early beliefs in the resurrection and the afterlife (before, during and after the time of Jesus). I did find this treatment quite useful, especially in terms of the apocalyptic movements in scripture and in the Jewish community at the time of Jesus (which helps us understand how his listeners would have interpreted his message). Nature Watching: How to Find and Observe Wildlife by Casey McFarland This is a Great Courses video presentation on the practice of tracking wildlife. I listened to it to get general ideas about the practice and not necessarily to be able to track deer or bear in the woods. McFarland is very excited about his material, and he presents his insights in an almost religious atmosphere (without exaggeration). It was quite good. The Scorpion’s Tail by Lincoln Child and Douglas Preston This is the story of the discovery of a dead body and a treasured golden cross that leads to greater discoveries on a Native American reservation and an Army base in the middle of nowhere. The action is good and convoluted (in a good way). The one flaw I saw in the novel was the need of the authors to throw in the presence of Inspector Pendergast. He has nothing to do with the story at all except that he is the mentor of Cory, the lead FBI agent on the investigation. Yet, he shows up in the last scene to make a discovery that no one even knew was there. Liberty and Crisis: The History of the American Revolution during 1776 by Charles River Editors This is a short (100 page) presentation on the beginning of the revolutionary war, dealing especially with what happened in the Boston area at the start of the war, the production of the declaration of independence, and the New York campaign. Cave of Bones by Anne Hillerman This is part of a series of books about police officers in the Navaho police force and their attempt to solve crimes on the reservation. In this case, there is a confusing array of the disappearance of a guide, the illegal sale of native artifacts, tribal politics, etc. The series was begun by Anne’s father, and she has carried on the story with a slightly different spin. Both authors are good and worth reading. Opium by Martin Booth This is a study of the use of opium throughout the ages. Booth speaks of its chemistry, of the various products that can be obtained (e.g. heroin, opium powder, codeine, etc.). He also speaks of attempts to limit or spread its use over the ages (think of the opium wars in the 19th century when the British empire fought for the right to sell its drugs in China). One of the elements of the story that was very interesting was how governments and spy agencies (including the CIA) have been involved in its growth and marketing (at times actively, at other times by ignoring its promulgation). Boss Tweed by Charles River Editors This is a short presentation on the career of the head of the Tammany Hall group in New York city who governed politics in the city for a couple of decades after the Civil War and who used their political and juridical power to rob the city of millions and millions of dollars, as well as fixing elections during that period of time. Have a good week. Shalom fr. Jude